Former UT student that hacked Sarah Palin's email asks for probation

A former Tennessee college student convicted of hacking Sarah Palin's e-mail during the 2008 campaign is asking for probation.

But federal prosecutors are recommending an 18-month prison term for David Kernell. His sentencing is set for Nov. 12 in Knoxville.

His attorney, Wade Davies, says in a motion that probation is justified, partly because of the 22-year-old former University of Tennessee student's youth.

A jury in April convicted Kernell on charges including unauthorized access to a protected computer and destroying records to impede a federal investigation. The maximum possible prison sentence is 20 years.

The former Alaska governor and her daughter Bristol testified that the hacking caused them emotional hardship